Best Outdoor Stair Workout, South L.A. (2012)

When it's too nice to be in a gym and thoughts of the Santa Monica stairs (parking and tourists!) and Runyon Canyon (parking and hipsters!) turn sour, there is a relatively quick, family-friendly way to get buns of steel at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. In less than half an hour, visitors to this public park can sprint, jump or leisurely walk up the 375 steep, uneven slabs of concrete and earth. The reward — aside from the aerobic excursion — is a breathtaking, panoramic view of Los Angeles. While it's open from 8 a.m. to sunset daily, the best time to go is at the end of the day, as temperatures cool and the sun sets over the city in sometimes glorious ways. 6300 Hetzler Road, Culver City. (310) 558-5547, parks.ca.gov/?page_id=22790.